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1. New Jewish Neighborhood on the Mount of Olives
by Rachel Sylvetsky
"You are invited to come rejoice in the joy of Jerusalem on the occasion of the inauguration of the Maaleh Zeitim neighborhood on the Mount of Olives, and to strengthen Jewish settlement in Jerusalem,” read the invitation sent out for the inauguration of a new Jewish neighborhood on the Mount of Olives.
Israel National News was there, and brought you live coverage of this historic event.
Email readers: click HERE and scroll down to view video.
The new neighborhood is a project of the Ateret Cohanim Yeshiva, which is located in the Moslem Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. The American Friends of Ateret Cohanim annual dinner will take place on June 1st in New York.
The dedication comes at a time when President Barack Obama's speech demanding that 1949 Armistice boundaries serve as the basis for Israel-PA negotiations has been countered strongly by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's refusal to consider the division of Jerusalem. United States officials have expressed displeasure with Jewish building east of the 1949 Armistice line, in eastern (where Maaleh Zeitim is located), northern and southern Jerusalem
Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin, Education Minister Gidon Saar, Minister of the Interior Eli Yishai, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and other political and religious leaders were at the event.
The Mount of Olives, site of the new neighborhood, is where King David wept as he fled Jerusalem during his son Absalom's rebellion (II Samuel 15,30) "And the king ascended Maaleh Hazeitim...". It is also the site of a historic Jewish cemetery which was vandalized during the period when Jordan occupied Jerusalem, from 1949-1967, and is now undergoing restoration. The gravestones, some used by Jordanians for latrines, tell the history of Jewish presence in Jerualem and are witness to the desire for Jews in the Diaspora to be buried there, as tradition has it that they will be resurrected first when the Messiah comes.
Until now, the eight families living in the Jewish-owned Beit Choshen buiding on the Mount of Olives, were the only Israeli presence there. An Israeli flag waves atop the building, whose residents have now been joined by another 100 who today make their homes on the mount in Ateret Cohanim's Maaleh Zeitim neighborhood.
Comment on this story
by Rachel Sylvetsky
"You are invited to come rejoice in the joy of Jerusalem on the occasion of the inauguration of the Maaleh Zeitim neighborhood on the Mount of Olives, and to strengthen Jewish settlement in Jerusalem,” read the invitation sent out for the inauguration of a new Jewish neighborhood on the Mount of Olives.
Israel National News was there, and brought you live coverage of this historic event.
Email readers: click HERE and scroll down to view video.
The new neighborhood is a project of the Ateret Cohanim Yeshiva, which is located in the Moslem Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. The American Friends of Ateret Cohanim annual dinner will take place on June 1st in New York.
The dedication comes at a time when President Barack Obama's speech demanding that 1949 Armistice boundaries serve as the basis for Israel-PA negotiations has been countered strongly by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's refusal to consider the division of Jerusalem. United States officials have expressed displeasure with Jewish building east of the 1949 Armistice line, in eastern (where Maaleh Zeitim is located), northern and southern Jerusalem
Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin, Education Minister Gidon Saar, Minister of the Interior Eli Yishai, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and other political and religious leaders were at the event.
The Mount of Olives, site of the new neighborhood, is where King David wept as he fled Jerusalem during his son Absalom's rebellion (II Samuel 15,30) "And the king ascended Maaleh Hazeitim...". It is also the site of a historic Jewish cemetery which was vandalized during the period when Jordan occupied Jerusalem, from 1949-1967, and is now undergoing restoration. The gravestones, some used by Jordanians for latrines, tell the history of Jewish presence in Jerualem and are witness to the desire for Jews in the Diaspora to be buried there, as tradition has it that they will be resurrected first when the Messiah comes.
Until now, the eight families living in the Jewish-owned Beit Choshen buiding on the Mount of Olives, were the only Israeli presence there. An Israeli flag waves atop the building, whose residents have now been joined by another 100 who today make their homes on the mount in Ateret Cohanim's Maaleh Zeitim neighborhood.
Comment on this story
2. 'Leaving Israelis Outside Israel's Borders? It Won't Happen!'
by Hillel Fendel
The first victim of modern intifada terrorism, Dov Kalmanovitz, says Netanyahu’s consent to leave Israeli Jews outside Israel’s borders is “surreal,” but there’s no reason for concern.
Speaking with Arutz-7’s Hebrew newsmagazine, Kalmanovitz said, “I cannot begin to understand the Prime Minister’s diplomatic plan, as he expressed it on Tuesday to Congress. To leave Jews outside the borders of Israel? It sounds surreal, and will not happen. It is totally unfeasible and unviable. Who can protect Israelis if not the IDF?”
Kalmanovitz, one of the first pioneer residents in the then-fledgling community of Beit El in the 1980’s, was the victim of a firebomb attack in the southern outskirts of Ramallah in January 1988. He suffered 3rd-degree burns over 75% of his body, after managing to extinguish himself by rolling in a nearby sand pile. “Doctors have a system of rating a burn victim's chances of living,” he later said, “by which a 100 score means certain death; I had a 106.” Yet he miraculously survived, despite grave scars over his face and body, and was able to overcome and resume a full life: He and his wife had more children, he resumed to full-time work as head of an accounting firm, and he founded and headed an organization for terrorism victims.
Kalmanovitz says he appreciates much of what Netanyahu said in his speech, “but I didn’t hear anything about terrorism and a demand to stop it. I also didn’t understand why Hamas is so bad but Fatah is good; after all, Fatah continues to encourage terrorism – and it was PA policemen who murdered Ben Yosef Livnat last month!”
But in the final analysis, Kalmanovitz is not all that concerned: “I was young, and I also aged [– Psalms 37] and I have seen many diplomatic plans rise and fall, starting with Madrid and onwards. Diplomatic schemes are not determined by any given speech. There is no reason to get nervous.”
Comment on this story
by Hillel Fendel
The first victim of modern intifada terrorism, Dov Kalmanovitz, says Netanyahu’s consent to leave Israeli Jews outside Israel’s borders is “surreal,” but there’s no reason for concern.
Speaking with Arutz-7’s Hebrew newsmagazine, Kalmanovitz said, “I cannot begin to understand the Prime Minister’s diplomatic plan, as he expressed it on Tuesday to Congress. To leave Jews outside the borders of Israel? It sounds surreal, and will not happen. It is totally unfeasible and unviable. Who can protect Israelis if not the IDF?”
Kalmanovitz, one of the first pioneer residents in the then-fledgling community of Beit El in the 1980’s, was the victim of a firebomb attack in the southern outskirts of Ramallah in January 1988. He suffered 3rd-degree burns over 75% of his body, after managing to extinguish himself by rolling in a nearby sand pile. “Doctors have a system of rating a burn victim's chances of living,” he later said, “by which a 100 score means certain death; I had a 106.” Yet he miraculously survived, despite grave scars over his face and body, and was able to overcome and resume a full life: He and his wife had more children, he resumed to full-time work as head of an accounting firm, and he founded and headed an organization for terrorism victims.
Kalmanovitz says he appreciates much of what Netanyahu said in his speech, “but I didn’t hear anything about terrorism and a demand to stop it. I also didn’t understand why Hamas is so bad but Fatah is good; after all, Fatah continues to encourage terrorism – and it was PA policemen who murdered Ben Yosef Livnat last month!”
But in the final analysis, Kalmanovitz is not all that concerned: “I was young, and I also aged [– Psalms 37] and I have seen many diplomatic plans rise and fall, starting with Madrid and onwards. Diplomatic schemes are not determined by any given speech. There is no reason to get nervous.”
Comment on this story
3. On the Crest: Netanyahu Soaring in the Polls
by Hillel Fendel
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. and his speeches before Congress and AIPAC have done him well in public opinion.
A survey carried out by Dialogue shows that 51% of the public now gives Netanyahu positive marks, compared with only 38% just a month ago.
Asked about his speech before the Congress, 47% said it was a success, while 36% were not pleased with it.
Nearly half the public said they felt “pride” when watching Netanyahu’s speech, while 22% said they didn’t see it.
Regarding U.S. President Barack Obama, a quarter of the Israeli public feels he is friendly to Israel, while 20% say he is hostile. Three out of every seven Israelis polled feel Obama is neither hostile nor friendly, but rather “to the point.”
Another poll carried out this week, by the Sarid Institute for Channel 2 News, shows that the Likud enjoys the support of 34 Knesset seats’ worth of the populace, compared to the 27 parliament mandates it actually has. A Dahaf poll of several weeks ago found that the Likud enjoyed 29 seats’ worth of support.
Comment on this story
by Hillel Fendel
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. and his speeches before Congress and AIPAC have done him well in public opinion.
A survey carried out by Dialogue shows that 51% of the public now gives Netanyahu positive marks, compared with only 38% just a month ago.
Asked about his speech before the Congress, 47% said it was a success, while 36% were not pleased with it.
Nearly half the public said they felt “pride” when watching Netanyahu’s speech, while 22% said they didn’t see it.
Regarding U.S. President Barack Obama, a quarter of the Israeli public feels he is friendly to Israel, while 20% say he is hostile. Three out of every seven Israelis polled feel Obama is neither hostile nor friendly, but rather “to the point.”
Another poll carried out this week, by the Sarid Institute for Channel 2 News, shows that the Likud enjoys the support of 34 Knesset seats’ worth of the populace, compared to the 27 parliament mandates it actually has. A Dahaf poll of several weeks ago found that the Likud enjoyed 29 seats’ worth of support.
Comment on this story
4. MORE Painful Concessions? Really?
by Jack Engelhard
Jack Engelhard wrote the international bestselling novel “Indecent Proposal” that was translated into more than 22 languages and turned in a Paramount motion picture starring Robert Redford and Demi Moore. His award-winning book of memoirs, “Escape From Mount Moriah,” in the form of Nikila Cole’s filming of the book’s short story “My Father, Joe,” is an official selection in the CANNES Film Festival 2011.
Maybe I spoke too soon.
In these pages (“Bibi to World – Swap This!”), I wrote that Bibi found his inner Jabotinsky, which was true in his cage duel smack-down with Obama.
But when he spoke before Congress he also found some inner Olmert, and this is not good.
Where have we heard this before about “painful concessions?” We heard it from every prime minister preceding Bibi the past few decades and where did it get Israel? It got Hamas to the left and Hizbullah to the right. This brings to mind Einstein’s theory of stupidity – keep trying the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.
Bibi – in addition to your readiness to make “painful concessions,” you also told Congress that you were prepared to be “very generous” with the Palestinian Arabs if only they’d come around. Olmert was also prepared to be very generous, and indeed he was, and his approval rating in Israel was two percent.
What is it about Israeli prime ministers that make them so “ready” to offer up Jewish territory?
Through successive prime ministers, Israel “painfully conceded” Sinai, Gaza and that buffer in Southern Lebanon which offered some strategic depth. How very generous, but what did it do, all these painful concessions, except whet the appetite for more painful concessions – until we’ve reached an American president who wants a painful concession all the way back to Auschwitz.
We call it “making peace through compromises.” They call it “making war through STAGES.”
Israel is nobody’s private real estate, to give or to share, and even Bibi came close to getting religion when he called the land “historic,” meaning God-given Biblical rights. Alert to liberals: When I say Biblical I don’t mean The New York Times. I mean The Five Books of Moses. (Alert to Fox News conservatives: Drop Neil Cavuto. On his show he listened to a man blame Israel for everything and he, Cavuto, uttered not a word in protest. Keep Glenn Beck!)
But then Bibi offered some of this historic territory for “two states for two peoples.” Not again! This was not what friends of Israel were rooting for in the speech to Congress.
Hasn’t this already been tried?
Take Gaza, please. How’s this “peace and security” working out for ya?
Concessions lead to concessions.
Even Menachem Begin never figured this out. When he gave up the Sinai (which never belonged to Egypt anyway, but that’s another story) he was under the impression (illusion?) that the entire world would embrace Israel. Typically Jewish – “if we give them one more thing, they will love us.” After Sinai, what more could they want?
Plenty.
Channeling Jabotinsky, Bibi was good…never again means never again…Israel reserves the right to defend itself…united Jerusalem…
We cheered. Even Congress loved those blunt words of defiance and valor.
I still say Bibi made a fine presentation, overall, and all that up against a world that judges Israel at every step with “mockeries and backbiting” (David/Psalm 35). He has been by far the best leader after a long line of disastrous dreamers. But he certainly slipped up when he repeated, word for word, the appeasements that doomed his predecessors.
The world has no pity for the weak, only admiration for the strong.
As King Solomon would say – “A time to dream and a time to get REAL.”
Comment on this story
by Jack Engelhard
Jack Engelhard wrote the international bestselling novel “Indecent Proposal” that was translated into more than 22 languages and turned in a Paramount motion picture starring Robert Redford and Demi Moore. His award-winning book of memoirs, “Escape From Mount Moriah,” in the form of Nikila Cole’s filming of the book’s short story “My Father, Joe,” is an official selection in the CANNES Film Festival 2011.
Maybe I spoke too soon.
In these pages (“Bibi to World – Swap This!”), I wrote that Bibi found his inner Jabotinsky, which was true in his cage duel smack-down with Obama.
But when he spoke before Congress he also found some inner Olmert, and this is not good.
Where have we heard this before about “painful concessions?” We heard it from every prime minister preceding Bibi the past few decades and where did it get Israel? It got Hamas to the left and Hizbullah to the right. This brings to mind Einstein’s theory of stupidity – keep trying the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.
Bibi – in addition to your readiness to make “painful concessions,” you also told Congress that you were prepared to be “very generous” with the Palestinian Arabs if only they’d come around. Olmert was also prepared to be very generous, and indeed he was, and his approval rating in Israel was two percent.
What is it about Israeli prime ministers that make them so “ready” to offer up Jewish territory?
Through successive prime ministers, Israel “painfully conceded” Sinai, Gaza and that buffer in Southern Lebanon which offered some strategic depth. How very generous, but what did it do, all these painful concessions, except whet the appetite for more painful concessions – until we’ve reached an American president who wants a painful concession all the way back to Auschwitz.
We call it “making peace through compromises.” They call it “making war through STAGES.”
Israel is nobody’s private real estate, to give or to share, and even Bibi came close to getting religion when he called the land “historic,” meaning God-given Biblical rights. Alert to liberals: When I say Biblical I don’t mean The New York Times. I mean The Five Books of Moses. (Alert to Fox News conservatives: Drop Neil Cavuto. On his show he listened to a man blame Israel for everything and he, Cavuto, uttered not a word in protest. Keep Glenn Beck!)
But then Bibi offered some of this historic territory for “two states for two peoples.” Not again! This was not what friends of Israel were rooting for in the speech to Congress.
Hasn’t this already been tried?
Take Gaza, please. How’s this “peace and security” working out for ya?
Concessions lead to concessions.
Even Menachem Begin never figured this out. When he gave up the Sinai (which never belonged to Egypt anyway, but that’s another story) he was under the impression (illusion?) that the entire world would embrace Israel. Typically Jewish – “if we give them one more thing, they will love us.” After Sinai, what more could they want?
Plenty.
Channeling Jabotinsky, Bibi was good…never again means never again…Israel reserves the right to defend itself…united Jerusalem…
We cheered. Even Congress loved those blunt words of defiance and valor.
I still say Bibi made a fine presentation, overall, and all that up against a world that judges Israel at every step with “mockeries and backbiting” (David/Psalm 35). He has been by far the best leader after a long line of disastrous dreamers. But he certainly slipped up when he repeated, word for word, the appeasements that doomed his predecessors.
The world has no pity for the weak, only admiration for the strong.
As King Solomon would say – “A time to dream and a time to get REAL.”
Comment on this story
5. The Unbridgeable Obama-Netanyahu Gap
by Hillel Fendel
Analyst and former Israeli Ambassador Yoram Ettinger says Obama’s pro-Muslim advisors keep him unbridgeably away from understanding Netanyahu.
Amidst all the commentary and verbiage regarding the recent speeches by Obama and Netanyahu, American-Israeli expert Yoram Ettinger says the cultural and political gap between the two is unbridgeable – largely because of Obama’s pro-Muslim advisors and tilt.
The gap won’t be spanned, Ettinger writes, ”as long as the President assumes that the ethnic, religious, tribal and ideological violent power struggles on the Arab street constitute ‘a story of self-determination’ and ‘the vanguard of democracy.’"
Similarly, “Netanyahu cannot bridge the gap between himself and Obama as long as the President's world view is heavily influenced/shaped by his senior advisors: Valery Jarrett, who is the favorite of Muslim organizations in the U.S., Ambassador Susan Rice, who considers Israel part of the exploiting Western world and the Palestinians part of the exploited Third World, and Samantha Power, who is one of Israel's harshest critics in the U.S. In addition, Obama considers Prof. Rashid Khalidi, who was a key PLO spokesman in the U.S., a luminary on the Arab-Israeli conflict.”
Another issue preventing Obama from understanding Israel is his underlying assumption that the Israel-PLO issue is the “root cause of Middle East turbulence, the core cause of anti-U.S. Islamic terrorism, and the crown jewel of Arab policy-making.”
Assumption of Security in Insecure Borders
And possibly most significant of all, according to Ettinger, Obama “assumes that Israel can be secure - in the most violent and volatile region of the world - within the 1967 borders. Such borders would rob the Jewish State of its Cradle of History and would reduce its waistline to 9-15 miles (over-towered by the mountain ridges of Judea and Samaria) - the distance between JFK and LaGuardia airports...”
“How can the gap be bridged,” Ettinger asks, “when Obama considers the 1967 lines - and not hate-education in Abu Mazen's schools, media and mosques - the crux of the conflict?”
Ettinger has long said, and continues to say, that Israel must respond to illogical American demands with firmness and facts on the ground – as it has done, with positive results, several times in recent decades. Ben-Gurion defied the State Department; Eshkol built in and reunited Jerusalem over Johnson’s objections; Golda built four new Jerusalem neighborhoods when Nixon proposed the Rogers Plan; and Shamir rebuffed Presidential pressure in several areas.
On the other hand, Ettinger says, Netanyahu should focus Israel’s relations with the U.S. on issues such as enhanced strategic cooperation, the mounting threats to U.S. interests, the absence of any reliable/capable Arab ally, the intensified Iranian threat, the increased Russian and Chinese profile in the Middle East, the development of energy alternatives, water technologies, homeland security, and more.
Comment on this story
by Hillel Fendel
Analyst and former Israeli Ambassador Yoram Ettinger says Obama’s pro-Muslim advisors keep him unbridgeably away from understanding Netanyahu.
Amidst all the commentary and verbiage regarding the recent speeches by Obama and Netanyahu, American-Israeli expert Yoram Ettinger says the cultural and political gap between the two is unbridgeable – largely because of Obama’s pro-Muslim advisors and tilt.
The gap won’t be spanned, Ettinger writes, ”as long as the President assumes that the ethnic, religious, tribal and ideological violent power struggles on the Arab street constitute ‘a story of self-determination’ and ‘the vanguard of democracy.’"
Similarly, “Netanyahu cannot bridge the gap between himself and Obama as long as the President's world view is heavily influenced/shaped by his senior advisors: Valery Jarrett, who is the favorite of Muslim organizations in the U.S., Ambassador Susan Rice, who considers Israel part of the exploiting Western world and the Palestinians part of the exploited Third World, and Samantha Power, who is one of Israel's harshest critics in the U.S. In addition, Obama considers Prof. Rashid Khalidi, who was a key PLO spokesman in the U.S., a luminary on the Arab-Israeli conflict.”
Another issue preventing Obama from understanding Israel is his underlying assumption that the Israel-PLO issue is the “root cause of Middle East turbulence, the core cause of anti-U.S. Islamic terrorism, and the crown jewel of Arab policy-making.”
Assumption of Security in Insecure Borders
And possibly most significant of all, according to Ettinger, Obama “assumes that Israel can be secure - in the most violent and volatile region of the world - within the 1967 borders. Such borders would rob the Jewish State of its Cradle of History and would reduce its waistline to 9-15 miles (over-towered by the mountain ridges of Judea and Samaria) - the distance between JFK and LaGuardia airports...”
“How can the gap be bridged,” Ettinger asks, “when Obama considers the 1967 lines - and not hate-education in Abu Mazen's schools, media and mosques - the crux of the conflict?”
Ettinger has long said, and continues to say, that Israel must respond to illogical American demands with firmness and facts on the ground – as it has done, with positive results, several times in recent decades. Ben-Gurion defied the State Department; Eshkol built in and reunited Jerusalem over Johnson’s objections; Golda built four new Jerusalem neighborhoods when Nixon proposed the Rogers Plan; and Shamir rebuffed Presidential pressure in several areas.
On the other hand, Ettinger says, Netanyahu should focus Israel’s relations with the U.S. on issues such as enhanced strategic cooperation, the mounting threats to U.S. interests, the absence of any reliable/capable Arab ally, the intensified Iranian threat, the increased Russian and Chinese profile in the Middle East, the development of energy alternatives, water technologies, homeland security, and more.
Comment on this story
6. IDF Honors Reservists
by Elad Benari
The IDF marked this week Reservists’ Appreciation Week, intended to recognize reservists (called “miluimnikim” in Hebrew) for their contributions to Israel's security over the years.
In Israel, reserve service is done after a person's regular army service. The IDF may call up men for reserve service of up to one month annually, officers for even longer, until the age of 43 to 45 or to active duty immediately in times of crisis.
In most cases, the reserve duty is carried out in the same unit as the regular service. As many soldiers who have served together in active service continue to meet in reserve duty for years after their discharge, the reserve duty has become a strong male bonding experience in Israeli society. In fact, reserve duty is considered so special that quite a few reservists continue to volunteer for duty even after the age of 45.
On the other hand, reserve duty is also a great sacrifice for Israeli men and their families. University students miss a month of lectures, often have to sign up for make-up exams at special dates, small businesses are left hanging with wives or assistants trying to keep them going, conferences and meetings are missed. Wives are left singlehandedly coping with car pools, sick children and repairs, while children miss their fathers presence and everyone waits for the call saying whether Abba (father) will be allowed home for Shabbat.
Importance of reservists discussed at special Knesset meeting
As part of Reservists’ Appreciation Week, a special day took place in the Knesset on Tuesday, which included plenum discussions as well as special event in the Knesset auditorium which was attended by reserve soldiers and officers from various military units.
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said during the event, “Those who respond to the reserve call are also responding to the call of their conscience. This faithful group has proven over and over again that it can be counted on. The reserves is a unique phenomenon that we should not be taking for granted.
“At a time when performing reserves duty has ago long ceased being a common thing, the reservist does not want to feel like a ‘national sucker,’” continued Rivlin. “When such a feeling exists, it is hard to ask someone to drop everything and endanger his life. It is no secret that feelings of deprivation still accompany most reserve calls.”
In light of the above, said Rivlin, “it is not enough to pat the reservists on the shoulder; on this day we must examine how to practically reward them. Financial grants for reservists and issuing certificates are only the beginning and it could lead to a fundamental change in our attitude to this minority which fulfills a national mission. Truly appreciating them is a challenge which all of us face.”
Rivlin’s words were echoed in the Knesset’s special session in honor of Reservists’ Appreciation Week. Lt. Col.(res.) Madeleine Abuazio, said during the session that a decrease in the value of the IDF is evident among Israeli employers, some of whom do not see favorably the fact that their employees need to take time off work for reserve duty.
“I have accompanied reservists who were fired because of the reserve duty,” he said. “It does not matter how many days they were called in for, the employer has them choose between work and reserve duty. When a soldier is required to choose between being employed and his conscience, we have a serious problem.”
Abuazio noted that “Many of the reservists are self-employed business owners and the country must take responsibility for them. The laws regarding reserve duties must be enforced. We have good laws but they are not properly enforced.”
Yanai Beni, a former battalion commander in the reserves, said, “I was a battalion commander in the Second Lebanon War and my soldiers were fired by SMS. Reservists leave out the fact that they are battalion commanders in their resume, they dress in parking lots and are ashamed to come up with their uniforms to work.
“It cannot be that battalion commadners and fighters are considered second class,” added Beni. “We feel like we are in an Israeli army in an American society, where capitalism has taken over everything that was good. Despite it all, we will continue to come [for reserve duty].”
34-year reservist honored
As part of Reservists’ Appreciation Week, a special evening honoring outstanding reservist soldiers was held on Monday.
One of the soldiers who were honored was the Vice President of the Association of Hesder Yeshivas, Eliezer Deutsch. Deutsch has served in the reserves for 34 years and was even injured during training, but the injury did not prevent him from continuing to serve for many more years.
As part of his role as VP of the Association of Hesder Yeshivas, Deutsch accompanies hundreds of students during their military service. “The cooperation with the IDF, both in the hesder yeshivas as well as in the reserves, allows me to fulfill my duties and help the troops,” he said.
The 55-year-old father of six and grandfather of six added that he sees in serving in the reserves a mission, and wished to pass the following message to the younger generation:
“When young soldiers who have completed their regular service come to reserve duty for the first time, I try to support and guide them. On the one hand it strengthens them and gives them the tools to serve, and on the other hand when they see me after decades in the reserves, it encourages them to continue to serve.”
Deutsch noted that he intends to continue to report to reserve duty. “As long as they let me serve, I’ll be there,” he said.
Comment on this story
by Elad Benari
The IDF marked this week Reservists’ Appreciation Week, intended to recognize reservists (called “miluimnikim” in Hebrew) for their contributions to Israel's security over the years.
In Israel, reserve service is done after a person's regular army service. The IDF may call up men for reserve service of up to one month annually, officers for even longer, until the age of 43 to 45 or to active duty immediately in times of crisis.
In most cases, the reserve duty is carried out in the same unit as the regular service. As many soldiers who have served together in active service continue to meet in reserve duty for years after their discharge, the reserve duty has become a strong male bonding experience in Israeli society. In fact, reserve duty is considered so special that quite a few reservists continue to volunteer for duty even after the age of 45.
On the other hand, reserve duty is also a great sacrifice for Israeli men and their families. University students miss a month of lectures, often have to sign up for make-up exams at special dates, small businesses are left hanging with wives or assistants trying to keep them going, conferences and meetings are missed. Wives are left singlehandedly coping with car pools, sick children and repairs, while children miss their fathers presence and everyone waits for the call saying whether Abba (father) will be allowed home for Shabbat.
Importance of reservists discussed at special Knesset meeting
As part of Reservists’ Appreciation Week, a special day took place in the Knesset on Tuesday, which included plenum discussions as well as special event in the Knesset auditorium which was attended by reserve soldiers and officers from various military units.
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said during the event, “Those who respond to the reserve call are also responding to the call of their conscience. This faithful group has proven over and over again that it can be counted on. The reserves is a unique phenomenon that we should not be taking for granted.
“At a time when performing reserves duty has ago long ceased being a common thing, the reservist does not want to feel like a ‘national sucker,’” continued Rivlin. “When such a feeling exists, it is hard to ask someone to drop everything and endanger his life. It is no secret that feelings of deprivation still accompany most reserve calls.”
In light of the above, said Rivlin, “it is not enough to pat the reservists on the shoulder; on this day we must examine how to practically reward them. Financial grants for reservists and issuing certificates are only the beginning and it could lead to a fundamental change in our attitude to this minority which fulfills a national mission. Truly appreciating them is a challenge which all of us face.”
Rivlin’s words were echoed in the Knesset’s special session in honor of Reservists’ Appreciation Week. Lt. Col.(res.) Madeleine Abuazio, said during the session that a decrease in the value of the IDF is evident among Israeli employers, some of whom do not see favorably the fact that their employees need to take time off work for reserve duty.
“I have accompanied reservists who were fired because of the reserve duty,” he said. “It does not matter how many days they were called in for, the employer has them choose between work and reserve duty. When a soldier is required to choose between being employed and his conscience, we have a serious problem.”
Abuazio noted that “Many of the reservists are self-employed business owners and the country must take responsibility for them. The laws regarding reserve duties must be enforced. We have good laws but they are not properly enforced.”
Yanai Beni, a former battalion commander in the reserves, said, “I was a battalion commander in the Second Lebanon War and my soldiers were fired by SMS. Reservists leave out the fact that they are battalion commanders in their resume, they dress in parking lots and are ashamed to come up with their uniforms to work.
“It cannot be that battalion commadners and fighters are considered second class,” added Beni. “We feel like we are in an Israeli army in an American society, where capitalism has taken over everything that was good. Despite it all, we will continue to come [for reserve duty].”
34-year reservist honored
As part of Reservists’ Appreciation Week, a special evening honoring outstanding reservist soldiers was held on Monday.
One of the soldiers who were honored was the Vice President of the Association of Hesder Yeshivas, Eliezer Deutsch. Deutsch has served in the reserves for 34 years and was even injured during training, but the injury did not prevent him from continuing to serve for many more years.
As part of his role as VP of the Association of Hesder Yeshivas, Deutsch accompanies hundreds of students during their military service. “The cooperation with the IDF, both in the hesder yeshivas as well as in the reserves, allows me to fulfill my duties and help the troops,” he said.
The 55-year-old father of six and grandfather of six added that he sees in serving in the reserves a mission, and wished to pass the following message to the younger generation:
“When young soldiers who have completed their regular service come to reserve duty for the first time, I try to support and guide them. On the one hand it strengthens them and gives them the tools to serve, and on the other hand when they see me after decades in the reserves, it encourages them to continue to serve.”
Deutsch noted that he intends to continue to report to reserve duty. “As long as they let me serve, I’ll be there,” he said.
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7. Obama's Europe Visit: The Old Continent Still Counts
by Amiel Ungar
Barack Obama has come to Europe to tell the Europeans that they still count, despite the greater emphasis that the United States is placing on the Pacific and particularly on relations with China and India. Aside from the Irish roots interlude, abbreviated by an Icelandic volcano, the emphasis of Obama's visit is on Britain and France, the United States' main military partners in Europe.
Poland requires reassurance as well, after Obama canceled the deployment of an anti-missile system in a bid to "reset" relations with Moscow.
The trip may be politically motivated. When Obama received a rock star reception in 2008, it did not hurt and helped parry the argument that he was a foreign policy liability. Recapturing some of those moments may prove useful in 2012.
It also may be part of a reassessment- the United States, whatever the disparity between the American investment in military resources and the European investment, will continue to need Europe even if only in a cameo role. It is easier to sell the American public a coalition rather than a go it alone policy. The European contribution may be small, but nobody else is going to supply troops.
The United States also needs Europe for geographic access. Aircraft carriers are fine, but bases in southern Italy are better when it comes to projecting American power in Libya.
Symbolically, the first major stop is London. It is obvious that Obama and his British hosts are making every effort to reestablish the frayed special relationship. It starts with the royal family warmly embracing the president and first lady, from a banquet to a meeting with Britain's power couple Will and Kate and culminating in Obama's address to parliament.
There is also an attempt by Obama to atone for what was seen as a disrespectful attitude to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. During Brown's residence in 10 Downing St., Obama removed the bust of Churchill from his office and welcomed Gordon Brown with a present of a set of DVDs that was not compatible for use with British television.
There is a measure of irony in the fact that during the first two Obama years in office, the economic policy of Obama and Brown were closely aligned. As opposed to the German approach, they both believed in deficit stimulus spending until economic recovery sets in.
The coolness towards Gordon Brown contrasted with Tony Blair's capability to be on intimate terms with Bill Clinton --no surprise, as both were practitioners of 3rd Way politics. Blair was able to maintain that relationship with George Bush, a conservative. Brown, who has ties to the Democratic Party and Harvard intellectuals, would have expected warm treatment from Obama. He didn't get it. There was an age difference between the two leaders, and perhaps there was also one of temperament.
Barack Obama is ill at ease with a blue-collar audience. He is much more comfortable with an upscale intellectual crowd. Gordon Brown is no intellectual lightweight and holds a doctorate, but represents a moralistic Scottish culture. He and his wife Sarah simply were not fun to be with.
Along comes David Cameron, who campaigned on a policy of cutting government expenditures before Obama belatedly came around to deficit reduction. He only did so after the Republicans made it a winning issue amongst the public. On the other hand, Barack and Michelle may find David and fashion-conscious Samantha (Sam Cam) Cameron more convivial company.
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by Amiel Ungar
Barack Obama has come to Europe to tell the Europeans that they still count, despite the greater emphasis that the United States is placing on the Pacific and particularly on relations with China and India. Aside from the Irish roots interlude, abbreviated by an Icelandic volcano, the emphasis of Obama's visit is on Britain and France, the United States' main military partners in Europe.
Poland requires reassurance as well, after Obama canceled the deployment of an anti-missile system in a bid to "reset" relations with Moscow.
The trip may be politically motivated. When Obama received a rock star reception in 2008, it did not hurt and helped parry the argument that he was a foreign policy liability. Recapturing some of those moments may prove useful in 2012.
It also may be part of a reassessment- the United States, whatever the disparity between the American investment in military resources and the European investment, will continue to need Europe even if only in a cameo role. It is easier to sell the American public a coalition rather than a go it alone policy. The European contribution may be small, but nobody else is going to supply troops.
The United States also needs Europe for geographic access. Aircraft carriers are fine, but bases in southern Italy are better when it comes to projecting American power in Libya.
Symbolically, the first major stop is London. It is obvious that Obama and his British hosts are making every effort to reestablish the frayed special relationship. It starts with the royal family warmly embracing the president and first lady, from a banquet to a meeting with Britain's power couple Will and Kate and culminating in Obama's address to parliament.
There is also an attempt by Obama to atone for what was seen as a disrespectful attitude to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. During Brown's residence in 10 Downing St., Obama removed the bust of Churchill from his office and welcomed Gordon Brown with a present of a set of DVDs that was not compatible for use with British television.
There is a measure of irony in the fact that during the first two Obama years in office, the economic policy of Obama and Brown were closely aligned. As opposed to the German approach, they both believed in deficit stimulus spending until economic recovery sets in.
The coolness towards Gordon Brown contrasted with Tony Blair's capability to be on intimate terms with Bill Clinton --no surprise, as both were practitioners of 3rd Way politics. Blair was able to maintain that relationship with George Bush, a conservative. Brown, who has ties to the Democratic Party and Harvard intellectuals, would have expected warm treatment from Obama. He didn't get it. There was an age difference between the two leaders, and perhaps there was also one of temperament.
Barack Obama is ill at ease with a blue-collar audience. He is much more comfortable with an upscale intellectual crowd. Gordon Brown is no intellectual lightweight and holds a doctorate, but represents a moralistic Scottish culture. He and his wife Sarah simply were not fun to be with.
Along comes David Cameron, who campaigned on a policy of cutting government expenditures before Obama belatedly came around to deficit reduction. He only did so after the Republicans made it a winning issue amongst the public. On the other hand, Barack and Michelle may find David and fashion-conscious Samantha (Sam Cam) Cameron more convivial company.
Comment on this story
8. Gates: Hizbullah Arsenal Bigger Than a Nation
by Chana Ya'ar
The Hizbullah terrorist organization has an arsenal bigger than that of most countries, according to outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The Lebanon-based terrorist group has at least 550 bunkers, 300 surveillance sites and 100 other bases, according to a map publicized two months ago by Israel.
According to the map produced by Israel's military intelligence, one of the bunkers is even located inside a mosque. “Our interest is to show the world that the Hizbullah organization has turned these villages into fighting zones,” a senior military commander told the newspaper.
“Hizbullah cruise missiles could threaten U.S. ships with anti-ship missiles with a range of 65 miles,” Gates told a gathering at the American Enterprise Institute on Wednesday.
He warned that the terrorist group may also have acquired biological and chemical weapons, according to CNN.
Comment on this story
by Chana Ya'ar
The Hizbullah terrorist organization has an arsenal bigger than that of most countries, according to outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The Lebanon-based terrorist group has at least 550 bunkers, 300 surveillance sites and 100 other bases, according to a map publicized two months ago by Israel.
According to the map produced by Israel's military intelligence, one of the bunkers is even located inside a mosque. “Our interest is to show the world that the Hizbullah organization has turned these villages into fighting zones,” a senior military commander told the newspaper.
“Hizbullah cruise missiles could threaten U.S. ships with anti-ship missiles with a range of 65 miles,” Gates told a gathering at the American Enterprise Institute on Wednesday.
He warned that the terrorist group may also have acquired biological and chemical weapons, according to CNN.
Comment on this story
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